The Magic of Arkonia

The return of the three heirs had stirred the capital, but Veyra's unexpected presence sent deeper ripples through the city. The noble families whispered among themselves, the council remained divided, and the soldiers stationed at the palace gates exchanged nervous glances.

It wasn't just the return of a lost figure—it was the weight of history resurfacing, and with it, unresolved tensions.

The Gathering Storm

Raviel, Vaelen, and Liora stood at the Queen's palace, waiting in silence. The air was thick with unspoken words, their recent battle still weighing on them. Dark magic had nearly consumed them, and now they were stepping into a political battlefield instead.

Vaelen stretched his arms, wincing. "I swear, if one more person asks me about the 'state of the East,' I might just shift into my tiger form and scare them off."

Raviel smirked. "You'd enjoy that too much."

Liora, arms crossed, was staring at the crowd that had gathered near the palace entrance. She could hear snippets of hushed conversations—whispers of concern, of distrust.

"…Serpent Clan was involved…"

"…Why is she here? After all this time?"

"…The Queen must have known…"

Liora's ears twitched at that. Her werewolf instincts told her something was shifting beneath the surface.

Inside the throne room, the Queen sat in deep contemplation. The nobles and generals were murmuring among themselves when a messenger arrived.

"My Queen, Veyra has entered the capital."

The room fell into silence.

A single flicker of emotion crossed the Queen's otherwise unreadable face—relief, perhaps. But it was fleeting.

Veyra's Hidden Watcher

Outside the palace, Veyra moved through the market, her cloak shielding her presence from the nobles' watchful eyes. She didn't care for their gossip. There were only a few people she was looking for.

Revyn trailed behind her, blending seamlessly into the crowd. He had no intention of revealing himself just yet, but he kept close, watching.

Veyra paused at a fruit stand, picking up an apple, running her fingers over the smooth surface. She seemed lost in thought.

"She hasn't changed," Revyn thought.

Then, as if sensing him, she glanced sideways—her sharp golden eyes meeting his.

For a second, he considered stepping forward. But instead, he turned and disappeared into the shifting crowd.